"Football is a game of mistakes," said ESPN analyst and former Dutch national player Ruud Gullit during the first week of the World Cup.

Indeed it is. All three goals scored in today's USA-Ghana match were the result of defensive lapses. Unfortunately for this country's fans, two of those gaffes were committed by the Americans as the Yanks left the competition after a 2-1 loss in overtime.

There were such great possibilities when the day began. Many Team USA fans who jammed into the Highbury in Bay View had visions of grandeur: a victory over Ghana today followed by a winnable match against Uruguay in the quarterfinals added up to a trip to the Final Four, fairly dizzying stuff for a side whose best finish in this event was third, 80 years ago.

"I think we win 3-1," one fan told me. "I blew off my cousin's wedding to be here," said another, hoisting a dark lager. Moments later, a second person told of skipping a friend's trip down the aisle. No one here questioned their priorities.

There was great cheering when the U.S. starting lineup was posted and more shouting when Landon Donovan's momentous goal was replayed for the millionth time. Many were still weeping at the sight. Several guys, carrying north of 200 lbs., wore American flags, draped like prom dresses. This group was ready for an early Fourth of July celebration.

But in the game's fifth minute, the mood became decidedly less celebratory. U.S. back Ricardo Clark gave up the ball to Ghana's Kevin Prince Boateng, a midfielder who played last season for Portsmouth in the English Premier League. Boateng drilled a 15-yard, left-footed blast past Tim Howard and the Americans found themselves in chase mode once again.

Boateng is one of four EPL players on Ghana's national team. Four more teammates play in Italy's Serie A, while others on the African side compete in top leagues in Germany, France and Spain. Ghana put on a display of beautiful European-style football in dominating the first half, stringing together several short passes, creating impressive buildups in their attack.

"Can the U.S. keep the margin to one?" was the question posed by play-by-play announcer Ian Darke. The U.S. accomplished that, and was truly fortunate to trail by only 1-0 at half.

"I am disappointed there is not more singing," railed one of the American flag-wearers, trying to stoke up a disappointed crowd. The bar owner tossed "Highbury World Cup" t-shirts into the throng, hoping to improve their outlook. I ran into one of the regulars who has family in Italy and expressed my sympathy for the untimely departure of "the Azzuri" earlier this week. I tried to sound cool and continental but I'm pretty sure I pronounced Italy's team nickname more like "Missouri" and came off more like a middle-aged guy from the suburbs.

The second half began. The U.S. needed a goal but that was the least of my problems. A young woman strolled into our crowded area carrying a purse roughly the size of a radial tire. I mean, the Brewers could store their catcher's gear in this thing.

After jockeying for position to get a better view of the action, I could see a different approach by the American team. They were much more certain with the ball and pressed into the Ghana end.

In the 62nd minute Clint Dempsey got loose and was pulled down close to goal to earn a penalty kick. Donovan converted, as his shot scraped the inside of the right post and went in, tying the contest at 1-1. The bar became a red, white and blue mosh pit. The beer flew, the singing crescendoed. The U.S. controlled the rest of the second half and had several great chances, most notably Dempsey and Josey Altidore, but could not break the deadlock. Overtime.

What turned out to be the fatal mistake came quickly in O.T... In the third minute, decorated U.S. defender Carlos Bocanegra was beaten on a long ball by Asamoah Gyan, who made a great first touch with his chest, then lifted the ball past Howard for the game-winner.

There is no sudden death, so the sides battled for another 27 minutes. The Americans had opportunities. One ball tantalizingly fell for Dempsey in the area in the 120th minute but there would be no magical goal this time.

While their place into the last 16 can't be considered an abject failure, this U.S. team was the most promising in years. There are some talented young players on the squad, but many of the team's anchors could well have their best years behind them for the next World Cup in 2014. The fans at the Highbury headed for the exits after watching yet another emotionally-draining contest, proud of one more valiant effort but knowing their side could have made a deeper run.